Articles from June 2009

The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed center Dave Bolland, a member of the 2008-09 squad that reached the Western Conference Final, to a five-year deal. In addition, Chicago also re-signed center Jacob Dowell to a two-year deal and goaltender Antti Niemi (AN-tee, nee-YEH-mee) to a one-year deal.
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With Brent Sutter stepping down as coach of the New Jersey Devils to spend time with family (AKA go coach the Calgary Flames), the Devils coaching job is now vacant. There have been so many rumors flying around about who the next coach is going to be, that it is tough to tell who Lou Lamoriello is going to hire. However, there have several names popping up more than once and I believe that the New Jersey Devils’ search for a coach is going to come down to three names.

The Blackhawks have reached contract agreements with restricted free agents Dave Bolland, Jake Dowell and Antti Niemi. The contracts have been sent for league approval, and an announcement of the deals is expected Tuesday afternoon.
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USA Hockey today named John Tortorella, head coach of the National Hockey League's New York Rangers, and Scott Gordon, head coach of the NHL's New York Islanders, as assistant coaches for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that will compete in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.
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The Chicago Blackhawks have selected defenseman Dylan Olsen from the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the 28th selection of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday night.
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I recently had the pleasure of catching up with a defenseman who gave the Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds quite a bit of trouble during his four years with the Tri City Americans. Logan Stephenson used his hulking 6'3" frame, speed and vision to deliver punishing hits, set up plays and score on opposing teams.
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Tim Spencer lives a few thousand kilometres away in Carnduff, Sask. But the former Moncton Wildcats left winger never hesitated about making the trip here for the inaugural Wildcats Alumni Charity Golf Classic, which was held yesterday at the Memramcook Golf Club. It speaks volumes that he and many other former players spent their own money and travelled considerable distances to take part in an event near and dear to their heart.
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Ryan Salvis and Luc Bourdon were never teammates with the Moncton Wildcats. Their paths actually crossed before Bourdon became a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League star and promising National Hockey League prospect. Bourdon was in Hockey New Brunswick's elite under-16 camp and one of his coaches there was Salvis, who was then an 18-year-old centre preparing for his second season with the Wildcats.

The Chicago Blackhawks have selected defenseman Dylan Olsen from the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the 28th selection of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday night.
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Rockford, Ill.- While few if any of the Chicago Blackhawks’ seven picks in the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft this weekend in Montréal are likely to play for the Rockford IceHogs in 2009-10, but past experience says that many of the picks will eventually find their way on to the Rockford roster.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that Patrick Kane will be the new face of the EA SPORTS NHL 10 videogame. Kane is the youngest player ever chosen for the cover of the NHL franchise and his image will be on the front of all packaging when NHL 10 is available on Sept. 15.
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REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed that 20-year-old scoring phenom Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks will be the new face of the EA SPORTS™ NHL® 10 videogame. Kane is the youngest player ever chosen for the cover of the NHL franchise and his image will be on the front of all packaging when NHL 10 is available in North American retail stores on September 15.
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The Blackhawks hold seven picks going into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft next weekend. Chicago will pick 28th overall in the first round and hold their own pick in each of the first five rounds. Their sixth round pick was traded to the Los Angeles Kings during last year's draft for a 2008 sixth rounder, which was spent on defenseman Braden Birch. One of their two seventh rounders in the 2009 draft was compensation from Florida for defenseman Magnus Johansson, who played in Russia last season.
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With the United States overburdened by stagnant joblessness, the federal government created the Works Progress Administration in 1935 to rebuild many of the country’s roads, bridges, sewers and public buildings.
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In my final preview of the Chicago Blackhawks offseason I will focus on the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending situation and who will have the inside edge to back up incumbent starter Cristobal Huet.
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Las Vegas, Nev. (June 18, 2009) -- Western Conference players have taken five of six places on the 2008-09 NHL All-Rookie Team, the League announced today. An All-West forward line features St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund, Anaheim Ducks right wing Bobby Ryan and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Kris Versteeg, and is joined by Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. The lone selection from the Eastern Conference is Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season.
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The Moncton Wildcats will stage a public auction on June 26 at 8 p.m. at the Memramcook Institute. This is being held in conjunction with the inaugural Wildcats Alumni Charity Golf Classic that day at the Memramcook Golf Club. Former Moncton Wildcat Adam Pineault has been lining up items for the charity auction.

The inaugural Blackhawks Fans Choice Awards are being released over the course of this week. On Tuesday, Dave Bolland (Rockford, 2007-08) was named the Unsung Hero and Kyle Beach (Rockford, 2008-09) was named Top Prospect.
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Several American Hockey League graduates, including Chicago's , and Chicago’s Kris Versteeg, will be up for major honors when the National Hockey League holds its annual awards ceremony on Thursday night in Las Vegas. Versteeg is up against Columbus' Steve Mason and Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s outstanding rookie.
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In conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, the Chicago Blackhawks will help start Mayor Daley’s Bike to Work Rally and Media Challenge at the United Center on Friday, June 19 at 7:30 A.M.
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Five members of the Chicago Blackhawks organization will be appearing at the 2009 National Hockey League Awards in Las Vegas at the Pearl Concert Theatre inside the Palms Hotel on Thursday, which can be seen live locally on VERSUS at 6:30 P.M.
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Chicago, Ill.- Five members of the Chicago Blackhawks organization will be appearing at the 2009 National Hockey League Awards in Las Vegas at the Pearl Concert Theatre inside the Palms Hotel on Thursday, which can be seen live locally on VERSUS at 6:30 P.M. (CT). Right wing Kris Versteeg is one of the three finalists for the Calder Trophy while 2008 Rookie of the Year Patrick Kane, team ambassadors and Hockey Hall-of-Famers Tony Esposito and Stan Mikita and Color Analyst Eddie Olczyk will be presenting awards at the show.
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Winnipeg, Man.- A three-goal first period was more than enough as the Hershey Bears captured the American Hockey League’s 2009 Calder Cup championship with a 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre on Friday night.
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Rockford, Ill.- Hammy and the Rockford IceHogs merchandise stand will be at the re-grand opening of the Pacemaker grocery store in Poplar Grove, 13521 Ill. Route 76, on Saturday and Sunday.
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The foundation for a great team starts at the draft. Having a foundation of drafted players allows a GM to sprinkle in outside talent, rather than take the chance on free agency or risky trades.
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Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs, proud members of the American Hockey League and primary affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks, announced six prime home dates and promotions for the 2009-10 season on Thursday.
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Hershey Pa.-Manitoba struck for two quick goals late in the second period and staved off elimination with a 3-2 win over Hershey on Tuesday before a sellout crowd of 10,860 fans at Giant Center.
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Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs Charitable Foundation raised more than $40,000 as a part of the American Hockey League member clubs’ $2.38 million charitable contributions in 2008-09, the team and league announced Tuesday.

Chicago, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Monday that the National Hockey League club has signed four players to entry-level contracts, including two players from the 2008-09 Rockford IceHogs roster.
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The Hershey Bears took a 3-1 series lead in the 2009 Calder Cup Finals over the Manitoba Moose with a 2-1 win at the Giant Center in Hershey, Penn. on Sunday. The Bears can bring home their 10th Calder Cup Championship with a win on Tuesday.
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Rockford, Ill. – A Jason Jaffray hat trick led the Manitoba Moose to a 3-1 win over the Hersey Bears to even the Calder Cup Finals at 1-1 in Game 2 on Tuesday in the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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The 2008-09 Rockford IceHogs season is brought to you by the letter S. Many words could be used to describe the Hogs 2ND full season in the AHL, but the word Streaky seems to fit the bill exactly. Inconsistency seemed to dog them throughout the scheduled 80 games in the regular season and their inexperience sealed the door on their post-season.
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Chicago, Ill.- Colin Fraser should have been frustrated in the postseason for the Chicago Blackhawks. After playing in 81 of 82 regular season games during his first full campaign in the National Hockey League, the former IceHogs’ center appeared in just one playoff contest entering Game Five of the Western Conference Finals.
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There are three major elements that each player at the 2009 Scouting Combine must master this week -- the physical testing, which concluded Saturday afternoon -- the psychological testing, and the team interviews.
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Looking for a Tim Hambly or Rob Klinkhammer game-worn jersey? Six 2008-09 jerseys have been added to the summer sale calendar. Read more for a full schedule of when jerseys will be posted and a link to the IceHogs e-bay store.
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